Tag Archives: 21st amendment brewery

I love Christmas (more than most people) and I love craft beer so of course my favorite style is winter and holiday beers. Here is my list of the 12 days of Christmas and the holiday activities to pair.

Each year is completely different. My personal favorite over the last three years has been 2011. Lots of gingerbread, chocolate, and root beer (sassafras) character. This is a beer I wanted to bottle age and revisit each December. Good start to the season!

This beer has a special place in my heart because for our honeymoon we visited Portland for beer travel. (I know…) We feel in love with Hopworks Brewing and especially the abominable winter ale. Hopworks doesn’t distribute in CA so we go through some trouble each year to get it, but it always reminds us of our holiday beer honeymoon.

This beer was a new one for me this year. Limited production and bottle numbered. 3240 made in 2012. Labeled a Belgian Dark Ale, didn’t find much “Belgian” quality, but good holiday/raisin spices. Heavy at 10%. Glad to have tried it.

This beer also has some nostalgia. It was one of my “gate way” beers to craft beer before I even knew what craft beer meant. Sam Adams has continued to grow, but they release a holiday pack each year that is a good start to getting into craft beer.

A winter warmer with malty character and lite hops. Probably wouldn’t have tried this if Untappd didn’t have a badge promotion. Festive name and a good winter beer for the price. Will defiantly drink every Christmas.

Imperial Stouts are just so good during this time of year. The heavier, richer and roister the better. This beer hits all the right spots. Snuggle up with fire and Santa’s Little Helper and you will be set for the holidays.

I tried this beer for the first time this year and instantly fell in love. This beer has a wonderful balance at 10% with a creamy body and fruity characteristics. I never thought I would like fruit aromas in my beer, but this just works. An excellent Christmas choice.

A beer I half thought about purchasing and so glad I did because it is now one of my favorite Christmas beers. Smooth body with lots of Christmas spices; cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. Solid winter warmer.

Winter Pairing: Christmas Eve night cap, you want to get a good nights sleep.

East Coast cult holiday beer. So glad I have family on the east coast to snag/save me some each year. It sells out fast. 11% beligan syle ale, but so drinkable with honey and cherry addition. Defiantly a holiday night cap.

One of my absolute favorite holiday beers and Sierra Nevada’s most popular seasonal. Last year we took a holiday road trip to taste Celebration at the source. I highly suggest this trip and you can hit 3 other breweries along the way. Great presence of hops with holiday spices.